Spring Case Management Training: An Empowerment Approach to Case Management

RACMI Case Management Training: An Empowerment Approach to Case Management

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: NICNE at Northern Illinois University, Rockford, 8500 E State Street, 61108.

Learn the principles of the Rockford Area Case Management Initiative (RACMI) to help you work with, not for your participants. Work smarter, not harder!

Empower participants to work towards independence and self-sufficiency. This approach actively engages participants in setting and achieving THEIR goals, focusing on strengths and resources, while moving away from “doing for” participants what they are capable of doing for themselves. Participants lead and become responsible for change because they are the only ones who can ultimately make change happen, while the Case Manager provides support as their backup partner.

This person-centered, outcome-based approach to case management is based on the book Empowering People for Change: Making Case Management Work by Dr. Beverly Ford. Activities will put your skills into practice. Leave feeling confident and ready to empower your participants through implementing RACMI core values.

Topics covered include:

• Overview and history of the RACMI
• Defining Case Management: Introduction to Dr. Ford's approach to Case Management Journey Towards Self-Sufficiency
• Helping vs. Empowering your program participants.
• Fostering Self-Sufficiency
• Empowerment Approach to Case Management
• Effective Case Management
• Motivation and Change

Intended Audience: Case Managers and Supervisors (or front-line staff with relevant job duties regardless of title) are encouraged to attend. Take this training as a refresher or as a foundation for new Case Managers. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded.

Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided.

Accessibility: The training will present in English. Accessible parking, mechanical assist entry doors, elevator access, and accessible bathroom stalls are available.

About the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB): The WCCMHB plans, implements, and monitors a system of care by investing in and supporting local organizations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies which provide critical mental health and substance use services for adults and children in Winnebago County. The WCCMHB supports community mental health and substance use services in Winnebago County through a robust "Community Support System" (CSS) which represents an array of services that allows individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders to live and recover in the community. Thanks to a voter-approved half-cent sales tax specifically designated for mental health services, $20 million in funding has been collected and allocated in Program Year 2023-2024. This significant contribution has greatly enhanced mental health services and programs within the County and WCCMHB is a vital partner and resource for the RACMI as a funded program. Their support and investment enable the RACMI to deliver essential training and education to case managers, human services staff, and mental health staff as they deliver essential mental health and substance use services to adults and children in the community. Learn more at r1planning.org/wccmhb.

About the Rockford Area Case Management Initiative (RACMI): The RACMI is a community-wide approach to:

• Create a common language around case management.
• Deliver individualized strength-based and person-centered support services to help participants achieve specific, self-defined outcomes leading to a healthy self-reliance and interdependence within their community.
• Professionalize the field of case management.
• Help facilitate referrals between human service organizations.

Instructors have been trained by Dr. Beverly Ford and either currently work in case management or have previous long-term case management experience. The RACMI is coordinated by NICNE, with support from Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. The steering committee includes representative from NICNE, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, RAMP and The Workforce Connection.

The RACMI is seeking additional volunteer Instructors. Interested in volunteering? Contact NICNE at 815.753.8733 for more information. Instructors assist with content delivery twice per year and attend bi-monthly one-hour planning meetings to help plan RACMI trainings and Communities of Practice events.

About the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE): NICNE's mission is to promote, model, and grow innovation, excellence, and social impact. NICNE has been strengthening nonprofits since August 2004 by providing capacity building, training, technical assistance, resource support, and initiative leadership to nonprofit organizations in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. NICNE believes in investing in people and organizations that make communities in our area safer, healthier, and more vibrant. We do so by providing training opportunities, which help nonprofits successfully achieve their missions. As the region’s primary resource for nonprofit capacity and movement building, NICNE encourages collaboration and best practices that result in a strong, vibrant nonprofit sector to demonstrating significant social impact.

Please email questions to Deanna Mershon, RACMI Program Coordinator, at [email protected].

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Host or Publisher Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE)